Graham Jarvis

“Miss Motown” Raynoma Gordy & Jack Gibson By Graham Jarvis "Miss Motown" The "Miss Motown" record (is one of two 45's) that completely surprised, excited and confused any and all "Motown" collectors or "Motown" interest, when one of the two 45's suddenly appeared on "Ebay" in 2015. The 45 record on a Motown Label was a gift to an unknown "Miss Motown" in 1964. This summary is how we finally resolved the "Miss Motown" mystery, following numerous searches, records, listings, archives, Motown DFTMC, and record master's listings etc. During the 1960's it was not unique for any of the key Motown staff to arrange pressing 45's on Motown labels as a one off, or any special events, albeit rare, difficult to find and usually small numbers. Ray & Berry Raynoma (Ray) Liles Gordy - following her marriage breakup in 1963 and the final divorce agreement instigated by Berry Gordy, Ray was then to leave Motown and Detroit. Despite their divorce, they both would still continue to work together, albeit limited with Ray being sent to New York by Berry with a new role for her to set up the "NYC Motown Office" completely away from Detroit in 1963. Bringing things back to the 21st century there was a real challenge concerning the "Miss Motown 45" that just turned up in 2015. It was a complete mystery as to what the record was about and whom it was for? After much searching, amazingly we simply discovered that the "Raynoma (Ray) Liles Gordy Singleton" biography, which was issued in 1990, titled "Berry Me & Motown" provided us with the answer. It was from her own biography that we finally identified and confirmed who the record belonged to and who it was intended for. When it was time for Miss Ray to leave "Detroit" and in the process of moving to NYC in 1963, she then also mentioned that she would now become "Miss Motown". It is then noted from her book that she detailed her new "business name" clearly detailed on: "Page 139 - Chapter 9 - New York -1963 (extract below) namely: "a quick­ change operation in the sky and came out as "Miss Motown". It is worth noting that despite this new name many Motown artists and staff still continued to use her original name as "Miss Ray". The above record links Jack Gibson (Jack the Rapper) to the “Miss Motown 45” which was a personal gift in 1964. This is clearly detailed on the Motown 45 record. We can now also define “Miss Motown” as being Raynoma Gordy (as was): from her book being “Chapter 9. New York” (exert detailed above). Jack Gibson “Jack The Rapper” Originally and not knowing much about Jack Gibson especially his role with Motown, was quite a surprise concerning his critical involvement with the company having worked for Berry Gordy for five years 1961-1966. Details as to the Jack Gibson’s biography “Mellow Yellow” is relevant and also clearly references his role for the period in working for Berry Gordy & Motown from 1961 through to 1966 (Berry Gordy fired Jack Gibson in 1966, allegedly being involved with Motown album bootlegs). Prior to Jack Gibson “Jack the Rapper” moving to Detroit in 1961 he was one of the top DJ’s in the U.S. throughout the late 1950’s and the early 1960’s before he went to work for Berry Gordy and Motown. Jack was originally based on WCIN Radio out of Cincinnati in Ohio. Berry took the opportunity in 1961 for Jack to come to work for Motown. This is detailed in Jack’s biography (namely: Chapter 12 Page 111). He openly agreed to work for Berry from 1961, he continued to commute from his home in Cleveland Ohio due to his family and children as the distance was not too far. The journey being 168 miles from Cleveland to Detroit taking 2hrs 45 mins by car, however he regularly flew to Detroit rather than drive instead. Jack also mentions (Page 122) his birthday being the same date as Stevie Wonder & Mary Wells. He also mentions that all three of them have the same birthday being the 13th of May. Thereafter and for each year it was a huge Motown birthday party for everyone to celebrate! Not only was Jack a good friend of Ray, but also Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Mary Wells, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder and others. He regularly went to New York & other cities to visit all of the record & radio stations including the local disc jockeys in promoting records and artists and taking with him some of the current Motown artists. He also had a close relationship with Ray as she was not only a Motown senior partner (originally) but on her leaving Detroit he also supported her in her 1964 move to New York. “MISS MOTOWN” Record The good thing about the Miss Motown 45 in that there is no real purpose anyone would or could press this record other than in 1964, as it being likely that it is Raynoma's voice that had been used for “Jingles” on Jack Gibsons radio shows which was then also used for this specific “Miss Motown” record. Only Jack Gibson would have the recordings that he then used on this 45 or on his regular radio show. Jack had access to a number of pressing plants that he would use, he then utilised his recordings of the voice on tape(s) or acetate as per the record gift as detailed on the 45. None of any recordings of either Jack Gibson or Raynoma Gordy from 1963/64 exist, this included anything for those with access to any relevant data concerning Jack Gibson and any Jingles. Any potential existing or unissued sound files that were also from the early sixties and / or any voice recordings, again were not available either. As regards the Miss Motown 45 from 1964 up to the year 2015 no one knew anything about "Miss Motown" or the Motown 45 record (complete with the 6t’s “Delta Release Number” in the runout groove). When the first copy turned up in 2015 most Motown “junkies” or collectors were surprised, excited, curious or dismissive, and/or an attempt in bidding on this record listed on Ebay. Quite a number watched the bidding and many also actually decided to bid on this rarity, however many missed the copy as it sold for over $300. The follow up discussions on the back of this specific 45. appearing in 2015 was just guess work, many also trashed the record as nobody had any ideas concerning “Miss Motown” or “Jack Gibson” with it being a complete mystery. It is supposed that Berry Gordy secured the Ebay Miss Motown 45 in 2015. Only two copies exist, the second copy turned up at the same time and was sold to a UK dealer. On finally establishing who Jack Gibson & Miss Motown were, we then looked to establish the sound files and the voice on the record. We already had Raynoma’s voice, as “Little Iva” (Pseudonym) and also with the two girl groups she sang with, around 1959, (Cute-Teens on Aladdin being one). More importantly in more recent years we have open access to two “Youtube Motown Shows” being: "Joan Collins & Geraldo” “The Joan Rivers Show” Both having “Raynoma Liles Gordy Singleton” as a guest, giving us for the first time the chance to hear her voice in full conversation(s). Summary There is then a story as to the purpose of the rare Miss Motown record as a special gift as clearly detailed on the Motown 45: “Very Personal and Very Special Thanks” Without “Raynoma (Ray) Liles Gordy Singleton” there would have been no Motown. She was key to everything that happened with both Berry & Motown in its infant years. Jack Gibson was also with Motown in the early years and worked in Detroit from 1961 to 1966, both Jack & Raynoma were also very good friends. The “45 Record” says it all, but it is your own view of the “Special Record” and the main purpose of the record when given to Raynoma by Jack Gibson. This is a key part of Motown’s history as “Miss Motown” was a joint owner of Motown along with Berry Gordy until their divorce. When Ray moved to New York the output from the N.Y. Motown office was some of the greatest none Motown Label Soul 45’s providing some of the most sort after “Northern Soul” records out of the N.Y. office and later from L.A. This Miss Motown 45 is a key part of the Motown history that Raynoma had kept to herself for all those years until she passed away. It was only then that the two known copies surfaced, it took several years of searching before being able to establish this rare and specific “Motown Special” that left behind a very personal gift between two of the senior staff, (Berry aside) that were both involved in helping build Motown. Record Title “JUST FOR YOU” & A Very Special Thanks The Record Tracks 1) About the Weather What time is it? What’s the weather going to be like today? Well, what’s the temperature right now? What’s the high for today? What’s the low? Be sure to bundle up because it’s cold outside? Carry your umbrellas cause it's raining? It's such a dreary day? So hot today? It’s so cold today? It’s so sunny & warm outside? Drive carefully? Cause the roads are bad? Be Extra careful going home? Traffics awful heavy? Have you got any new records? Play one just for Me? 2) About The Records & The DJ Play Me Something groovy? Play me something mellow? Oh that sure sounds good? Can I hear a little more for that one? Gee but you play some swinging records? Who’s on next? How’s my favourite guy today? You are looking very good? So Sharp? What you Say? Will I see you tomorrow? Please come back & see Me? Same time same place? 3) Greetings & nonsense Bye now? Hi sugar, sugar? Bye, bye, sugar, sugar? Final Summary Raynoma Mayberry Liles Gordy Singleton sadly passed away 11 November 2016. We can only presume that Raynoma had disposed of the records just before she passed away in 2016. It is then likely that any records and other things would have been disposed of or given away. It was in 2015 that the two records were then sold, the records might have had no interest or value to anyone else at that time. Jack Gibson passed away 30 January 2000. Nothing from Jack Gibson following his death was anything to do with Motown concerning any effects or documents that are known. There is also an irony to both of their biographies in that neither mentioned each other. However, Jack passed away in the year 2000. He never got to see his biography as it was not until 2015 that Walker Smith published Jack’s book “Mellow Yellow”. He knew Jack Gibson well and from 1997 through to Jacks death in 2000, Jack wrote his own story via Walker Smith before he died. Concerning the two biographies and any references including the copyright is the ownership of the two individuals concerned and / or their families. This also includes any and all photographs being the courtesy of the rightful owners. Graham Jarvis. Oct 2022.